Drivers in Bartow, take note: the city has launched a new initiative aimed at improving traffic safety through the use of red-light cameras. Officials said 16 cameras have been activated at eight high-risk intersections across the city. Motorists caught running red lights will face a $158 fine, delivered straight to their mailbox. Red-light camera intersections in Bartow Wilson Ave. at Van Fleet Dr. / SR 60 W. Main St. / SR 60 at Crown Ave. Holland Pkwy. / US 17 / US98 at Van Fleet Ave. / US 98 Broadway Ave. / US 98 / at E. Van Fleet Dr. / SR 60 Holland Pkwy. / US 17 at Main St. S. Holland Pkwy. US 17 at W. Wabash St. Holland Pkwy. / US 17 at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. S. Holland Pkwy. / US 17 at E. Georgia St. The move comes in response to growing concerns about traffic congestion, aggressive driving and an uptick in accidents. Local resident Nancy Holder supports the initiative, saying, “I think it’s a good thing. We’re having too much traffic and not enough road space, and people are getting aggressive.” Bartow Police Department’s Captain Luke Hauser emphasized that the cameras were placed at intersections with a history of frequent violations and collisions. “Statistically, State Road 60 and U.S. 98 is where our most frequent citations occur,” Hauser noted. Between 2022 and 2024, Bartow recorded: 144 crashes at US Highway 98 and State Road 60 52 crashes at Wilson and Van Fleet 30 crashes at State Road 60 and Crown Avenue “These are high-risk areas,” Hauser said. “The public is split — some support the cameras, others don’t — but the goal is to make our roads safer.” The system captures two key images: one as the vehicle approaches the intersection while the light is red, and another as it proceeds through. The registered vehicle owner will receive a violation notice that includes: Photos of the infraction The vehicle’s license plate Date, time and location of the violation Duration of the yellow and red lights A link to a 23-second video clip of the incident And a $158 fine Hauser clarified that these are civil ordinance violations, not criminal traffic citations. No points will be added to the driver's license, but the notice is mailed directly to the registered owner of the vehicle.